Displaying items by tag: Praise

Thursday, 21 March 2024 22:00

Jesus’ three promises on Palm Sunday

In a world of chaos and declining faith in institutions, Jesus' Palm Sunday message offers a distinct form of peace, contrasting with society's inclination towards temporary fixes like drugs and materialism. Amidst personal trials and imminent crucifixion, he highlighted three crucial aspects of peace. 1) Peace with God: through his death and resurrection, Jesus created a way to reconcile humanity with God, fulfilling his primary mission of establishing peace between mankind and the divine, as Paul articulates in Romans. 2) The peace of God: Jesus advised his followers to focus on noble and truthful thoughts, cultivating a mental discipline rooted in faith. This mindset fosters God’s peace, allowing believers to experience tranquillity despite life’s challenges. 3) The peace of the future: the Bible foretells a future era of remarkable peace following Jesus’ return, where harmony will prevail as prophesied in Isaiah. The ‘peace that surpasses human understanding’ provides comfort and hope in tumultuous times.

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Actor Ryan Phillippe revealed a newfound craving for a relationship with God following a spiritual journey sparked by his role in 'Prey’, a film about a Christian missionary couple in the Kalahari desert. After completing the movie, Phillippe delved into religious readings and sought deeper spiritual understanding. Despite success and wealth, he felt unfulfilled and turned to spirituality for peace and satisfaction. He found solace in reconnecting with his faith and exploring the Bible and other religious texts. His spiritual exploration led to significant personal changes, including overcoming depression and addictions. He expressed gratitude for his life's blessings and emphasised the importance of inner reflection in achieving peace and understanding God. Although it is unclear if Phillippe specifically seeks a connection with the God of the Bible, his journey is noteworthy. His openness about his spiritual quest and the positive changes it brought has encouraged others to consider their own spiritual paths.

Published in Praise Reports
Thursday, 21 March 2024 21:54

Christian phone line relaunched after cash boost

DailyHOPE, a free national telephone service providing music, prayers, and reflections from the Church of England, has been relaunched following a significant donation. Initially established in April 2020 to assist older individuals without online access during the coronavirus lockdowns, DailyHOPE became a crucial spiritual resource for many. Run in partnership with Faith in Later Life, it had closed in January 2023 due to funding issues but has now resumed. Faith in Later Life’s CEO has stressed the line's importance, noting its role as a lifeline for older people, particularly during the pandemic when many lost mobility and confidence. With nearly half of the over-65s in the country unable or unwilling to use the internet, DailyHOPE fulfils a vital need. Plans are under way to expand its content and appeal to a broader audience of Christians and older people exploring faith. In 2023, the service recorded over 100,000 calls.

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On 11 March Paul Alexander, who held the Guinness World Record for the longest time living in an iron lung, passed away aged 78. He had lived in the mechanical ventilator since polio paralysed him at the age of six, just before the introduction of the polio vaccine. Despite doctors' grim predictions and witnessing the deaths of many other polio patients, he never let his disability define him. He mastered mouth painting and writing, and even learned how to breathe to spend time outside the iron lung. His 2020 autobiography recounts his life story, including his academic achievements and his career as an attorney specialising in family law and bankruptcy. Alexander's deep Christian roots were evident in his family's devout Pentecostal faith. In a 2022 interview, he compared the profound love his parents showed him to God's love, and emphasised the importance of purpose in life. A friend raised over $143,000 to support Alexander's medical and funeral expenses, testimony to the widespread inspiration he provided.

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A UK study has revealed a significant decline in cancer death rates among middle-aged individuals since the early 1990s, despite an increase in cases. Cancer Research UK, a key contributor to the study, noted a 37% decrease in male cancer deaths and a 33% decrease in female cancer deaths from 1993 to 2018. The research found notable reductions in death rates for many, including a 54.3% decrease in cervical cancer fatalities among women, largely due to the HPV vaccine and better screening. Similarly, lung cancer deaths dropped significantly, particularly in men, partly due to reduced smoking rates. There were substantial mortality reductions in both men and women aged 35-69 years, reflecting the success in cancer prevention, earlier detection, and improved diagnostics. However, there was a notable increase in cancer diagnoses in this age group, attributed to such factors as obesity, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure.

Published in Praise Reports
Thursday, 14 March 2024 22:36

African prisoners transformed by Gospel message

In a notorious African prison, 166 death-row inmates existed in a state of despair; but a team of missionaries and medical professionals were undeterred, ready to offer both healthcare and the gospel. Believing in the transformative power of faith, they planned to preach and provide individual counselling during medical checks. They were driven by a conviction that even these forsaken souls deserved to hear the message of hope. As the Gospel was shared, hardened faces softened with tears, signalling an emotional and spiritual awakening among the inmates. This moment marked a shift from hopelessness to a glimmer of hope and understanding. The medical consultations became opportunities for inmates to personally embrace faith, with many choosing to commit to a new spiritual path. The next day, the prison warden observed a profound change. Inmates were deeply engaged in reading the Bible and discussing its teachings, transforming the prison's atmosphere to one of joy and community.

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Jackie Darby, a mother, wife, and author with a profound faith, was once a baby abandoned in a rat-infested garbage dump in Seoul, South Korea. Darby shares how she was discovered and saved by a missionary nurse and taken to a missionary-run orphanage. Her life took a turn for the better when she was adopted by American missionaries, inspired by an article about post-war babies. Darby's journey was filled with challenges, especially grappling with her past. Teaming up with fellow author Aixa de López, Darby co-authored "Whose Am I?", a book exploring adoption, redemption, and our true identity in Christ. This collaboration started when de López, inspired by Darby, embarked on her own foster care and adoption journey. Their bond strengthened as Darby supported de López and formed a special connection with her adopted daughter Darly, who found comfort and understanding in Darby's story. The book aims to facilitate conversations about adoption and identity, providing insights for all children, whether adopted, in foster care, or simply curious. They hope it serves as a tool for open, complex discussions about adoption's beauty and the concept of true spiritual adoption.

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Perry Noble, Senior Pastor of Second Chance Church in South Carolina, used a bench press demonstration in his recent sermon to symbolize the importance of community support in coping with life's worries. Illustrating his point, Noble initially lifted a 135-pound barbell alone, representing life's daily burdens. He then added weight to a total of 400 pounds, humorously acknowledging it was too much for him alone. In his sermon "Winning the War Against Worry," Noble emphasised the power of combining God's strength with the support of fellow Christians. He highlighted that even Jesus sought his disciples' support in his most troubled times, suggesting that if Jesus needed others, so do we. Noble, who founded Second Chance Church in 2019 after personal challenges, including his dismissal from NewSpring Church, marital difficulties, and alcohol struggles, related to the topic personally. He confessed to previously living in isolation, exacerbating his problems and leading to alcohol dependency. Noble's message was clear: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. He urged anyone facing similar struggles to reach out for support, advocating for the power of community in overcoming life's heaviest burdens.

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Friday, 01 March 2024 10:17

Street preacher wins settlement from police

Avon and Somerset police have confessed they acted ‘disproportionately’ when stopping pastor Dia Moodley from criticising other religions while street preaching. The notice was issued in 2021, to prevent him from ‘passing comments on any other religion or comparing them to Christianity’. After the police settled damages on the ground of religious discrimination, Moodley said, ‘It isn't for them to decide which religions or worldviews can be free from criticism. When I preach, I am committed to speaking about the good news of Christianity in love, grace, and truth – but that doesn't mean that I will never say something that others may disagree with. The nature of a free and democratic society is that we can speak publicly about our beliefs. Thankfully, I have received some measure of justice after having been wrongfully silenced by authorities. But this creeping culture of censorship is detrimental to all of us in society, whatever we believe, and we must challenge it wherever we see it.’

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A motion has been introduced in the Scottish parliament to formally recognise St Giles' Cathedral, a landmark in Edinburgh with a history spanning 900 years. MSP Miles Briggs commended the cathedral for its enduring significance and its efforts to engage people of all backgrounds and faiths. Rev Dr George Whyte, representing St Giles', expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising the importance of maintaining a balance between tourism and worship. The motion also highlights the cathedral's role as a centre celebrating Scotland's heritage and culture, attracting 1.5 million visitors annually. It is also a national church, hosting significant events such as state ceremonies. The cathedral's outreach projects aim to foster inclusivity and community cohesion. The motion will be circulated for additional signatures, reflecting widespread support within the parliament.

Published in Praise Reports
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